Magners League: Grand Final Preview

The culmination of the 2009/10 season, the inaugural Magners League grand final, takes place in Dublin on Saturday evening between two of the league's most experienced teams, Leinster and the Ospreys.

Appropriately it is the teams who finished first and second in the table at the end of the regular 18 round season that will be the first to contest the title in its new format, Leinster overcoming Munster and the Ospreys defeating Glasgow Warriors in the semi-finals to claim their places in the grand final.

And what a thrilling encounter is in store. On their road to this deciding game, the Ospreys have amassed 404 points, thanks to the boot of Dan Biggar, currently the league's second top points scorer with 198, and the try scoring prowess of Irish and Welsh Players' Player of the Year Tommy Bowe, whose seven tries to date have taken him clear at the top of the Magners League all-time list.

Leinster, who have won their last six encounters with the Ospreys, boast a team packed with star players from 1 to 22. Jonathan Sexton has proved reliable with the boot this season, his 75.93% success rate placing him third on the sureshot league, while Rob Kearney will be keen to add to his season's tally of five tries.

Looking forward to the game, Leinster's in-form number 8 Jamie Heaslip said: "We have a huge test coming up next weekend against the Ospreys and it will be another massive battle up front.

"They have an array of talent out wide so we will have to up our levels again next week.

"There's no sense of our season being complete even though we were pleased to beat Munster in the
semi-final."

He added: "The way the Leinster squad has been managed this year has kept guys fresh for every game and that has affected me positively, touch wood.

"It's also down to Michael Cheika's ability to rotate the squad, the fitness coaches for keeping us fit and healthy, and everyone on the squad pushing each other because of the competition that's there."

Whoever wins, history will be made at the RDS on Saturday as the victors will become the first team to hold the title for a third time.

Leinster were crowned league champions in 2001 and 2008, while the Ospreys took the title in 2005 and 2007.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.